Council supports towing cars of uninsured

CORPUS CHRISTI - Uninsured drivers soon will be more likely to get towed with a new policy for the police department receiving unanimous support from City Council Tuesday in the form of a resolution.

Assistant Police Chief Ken Bung said the policy will be developed in about three weeks and won't be back before the council.

"With this resolution, we're informing the public we are going to start towing cars with no insurance," he said.

Bung said the policy probably will have some latitude for officers to use discretion in towing cars.

The resolution does not make clear whether an uninsured driver would be towed on a first offense. Bung said an uninsured driver would be more likely to be towed if they previously had been cited for no insurance.

Councilman John Marez was absent from the vote.

"People's lives can be ruined by uninsured drivers," said Councilwoman Melody Cooper.

The brief discussion on the resolution brought up previous concerns about capacity at the city's inpound lot, where towed cars will be taken.

The lot is partially paved and has a lower capacity when it rains.

City Manager Skip Noe said a plan to pave that lot or another piece of city-owned land will be before council next month.